Groton Premiere of Harry Potter Movie Proves Bittersweet

Harry Potter fans gathered at Groton Cinema 6 last night as early as 8:30 pm for the sold out midnight premier of the final movie of the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II.

Tickets sold out early on Thursday afternoon, but Harry Potter hopefuls continued to call and ask if there were any open seats left in the 273-seat 3D theater well past 11 pm.

“I’ve gotten so many calls about the movie tonight, I don’t even want to answer the phone anymore,” said Aldwin Torres, head projectionist at Groton Cinema 6.

The End of an Era

The release of the final Harry Potter movie marked the end of an era for many fans.

“I don’t think there’ll be another series as good as this,” said Tara Henderson, who attended the midnight premiere with her 10-year-old daughter.

On the cusp of the conclusion to the series, Michelle Campbell, 15, saw an opportunity to use her imagination to keep the fairytale alive.

“The story of these characters might come to an end, but you always have your own fantasies about what happens next,” she said.

Other fans weren’t so sure they’re ready for the series to be over.

“I’m praying that (J.K. Rowling) comes out with something else. I don’t want it to be over,” said Jessica Brown, 25, who has been a diehard follower of the Harry Potter series since the first book came out in 1997.

Widespread Popularity of the Series

The popularity of the Harry Potter series spans all age groups, but many of its fans grew up reading the book. Fans appreciate the fantasy world that J.K. Rowling created, and it has been suggested that the series is a “gateway” that helps children learn to appreciate reading.

“It’s close enough to real life that you can relate to what the characters are going through, but it’s still different enough that you can escape to it – to the fantasy world it creates,” said Campbell.

The book also has deeper themes that fans can relate to.

“I like that it talks about equality, even if it is just in a made-up world. It shows that people are sometimes mistreated just because they’re different,” said Brown.

Harry Potter fans at the midnight premier enjoyed escaping to a fantasy world, even for just over two hours at the movie theater.

Anticipation for the Premier

Anticipation for the final movie of the Harry Potter series began months before, and preparations on Thursday reached a fever pitch.

Rachel Frazzo, 15, and six of her friends began a Harry Potter movie marathon at 6:30 on Thursday morning. They watched the entire series, concluding their marathon at the midnight premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II at Groton Cinema 6.

“We’ve been waiting for this for months,” said Frazzo.

Other fans began preparing costumes earlier Thursday evening. Friends Samantha Pennenga, 14, and Kelsey Johnson, 16, were disappointed when they arrived at iParty Thursday afternoon and discovered that everything related to Harry Potter was sold out.

“We decided just to go ahead and make our own costumes instead,” said Johnson.

She and Pennenga constructed costumes with black aprons for capes, hats made of construction paper, and pipe cleaners for wands.

“We just got really pumped up,” Johnson said. “We’ve been chanting ‘Harry Potter’ all day long.”

Living Up to the Hype

Most fans were impressed with the 3-D special effects of the movie.

"It definitely makes this final movie even more epic," said Campbell.

Fans were also appreciative of the authenticity of the movie’s storyline.

“I was happy that the movie followed the book so closely. It was so awesome, I was teary eyed at one point,” said Frazzo, following the premier.

For some fans, the final movie of the series represents more than just the end of Harry Potter.

"It's bittersweet," said Jamie Toby, 18. "It’s not just the end of an era, but the end of my childhood.”

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II is projected in 3-D.Potter fans are advised to come early to showings because of limited seating. (Groton’s only 3-D equipped theater seats 273.) 3-D glasses will be available through the theater for free (or for $3.00 purchase).

Show Times

Friday, July 15 to Thursday, July 21: 

(July 15 12:00 a.m.)

12:30 p.m.*

3:45 p.m.*

7:00 p.m.

9:50 p.m. 

*matinee shows

Ticket Prices

Adults: $12.00 ($9.00 matinee)

Children (under age 11)/Seniors: $9.00